Ghosts of Maine Veterans March in Bangor’s Memorial Day Parade

In a moving tribute that could only take place in Maine, the Bangor Memorial Day Parade brought tears to the eyes of its spectators when the Ghosts of Maine Veterans marched along with the living.

Ghosts hailing from as far back as The Revolutionary War took part in the event, and there was not a dry eye to be found as those who lined the streets cheered them on and shouted out their thanks.

“We first came up with the idea on Veteran’s Day,” Eddie A. Polian, the Parade Chairperson, told this Modern Philosopher at the end of the parade route.  “Maine has a rich tradition of its otherworldly beings living in peace and harmony right alongside its humans, so we wondered if we could find away to round up the Ghosts of those Mainers who had given their lives in the service of this great country.”

It was a lot easier to organize than expected.  Once the plan was set in motion, everything quickly fell into place.  Maine’s resident Ghosts put out the call to the Spirit World to conjure up interest from those who had long ago moved on from the state.

Maine’s Veterans organizations have very close ties to their members, living and dead, so the idea gained steam in group meetings.

All the while, the big reveal was kept a secret from parade goers .  “We really wanted to hit them with it unexpectedly,” Polian told me as we watched people hugging and kissing in the street.  “It was even more touching than I expected.  Maine truly is a magical place.  I’m not sure why we didn’t think of this sooner.”

Once word got out about the parade’s special guests, the streets of downtown Bangor were flooded with Mainers eager to reunite with lost loved ones, or to meet ancestors for the very first time.

I have never seen a more touching tribute to Memorial Day.  I am thankful I got to be a part of it, and more than ever, I am proud to be an American.

Happy Memorial Day!  God Bless America!